What You Should Know About Playing Trumpet With Braces

What You Should Know About Playing Trumpet With Braces

When you want to start playing the trumpet, you are bound to find many obstacles. One of the common obstacles is braces. Most people who wear braces are kids or young players. However, these are the players that may be looking to start playing the trumpet for the first time.

Wearing braces will prevent you from tooting out high tones. Apart from this, the mouth devices can bruise your teeth and cause fatigue, bleeding, and lip damage.

Most parents are concerned whether their children can play the trumpet with braces. Since young people are fragile and their teeth are still developing, wearing braces can make many of them lose interest in playing the trumpet. Apart from this, wearing braces can reduce a child’s self-esteem.

The last thing you want is for your child to give up their dream of playing the trumpet just because they wear braces.

Problems of Playing Trumpet with Braces

Playing the trumpet when wearing braces can lead to a number of problems. Below is an overview of the problems and how you can make them more manageable or even solve them.

Before Braces

Taking an active role to prevent injuries when playing the trumpet when wearing braces is important. This means you should pay attention to the orthodontist you choose to take your child to as well as the braces that would be recommended.

Here is a good rule of thumb to follow when choosing an orthodontist: if they do not consider that your child will be seriously playing the trumpet when wearing the braces, visit other orthodontists.

Ideally, you should look for an orthodontist that has experience with trumpet players and that will not underestimate the issue your child has. These dentists are more likely to prescribe braces that will be comfortable for an active trumpet player.

The best braces to wear when playing the trumpet are those that have smooth edges and limited wiring. You can also ask your orthodontist whether the Crozat removable appliance will be suitable for your child. This device looks like an inverted brace, is more comfortable and less intrusive in your mouth. Apart from this, you can play the trumpet when wearing the appliance since it does not sit between your lips and front teeth.

During Braces

Wearing braces will have a huge psychological impact on a young beginner trumpeter. If you have a well-developed embouchure, the braces will make it go away. Wearing braces changes the mouth structure, and it can be difficult to adjust to it mentally or physically. The braces can degrade your play and make it too troublesome for you to play the trumpet.

Both beginner and experienced trumpeters face the same problems when wearing braces. If you are wearing braces, you can stay motivated and continue improving your playing skills if you remember the following:

It will pass

Wearing braces is a temporary thing. Whether you will be wearing them for a few weeks, months, or years, you will eventually get them off before you know it.

If you remember that the braces will have to come off someday, you will be more comfortable and at peace mentally to continue practicing.

Improve and adjust your technique

When wearing braces, it is difficult to blow hard to get all the necessary tones. Spending time learning how to adjust your technique and reduce the pressure can be effective just as when wearing a good mouth guard.

Therefore, take note of your playing routine. Playing with your braces over the first few weeks will be the hardest. This is also the time when you will be getting your sound, joy, and confidence back. Making a little adjustment can go a long way in ensuring you hit the right notes even when wearing braces.

Take it easy and do not pressure yourself to get the right notes immediately. Taking time to play the trumpet can make you richer in various techniques.

Don’t stress

Finally, don’t stress with playing the trumpet. Take some time off to engage in other activities such as playing games, drawing, sport, jogging, and so on just to relax.

Generally, the physical obstacles of wearing braces cause the psychological challenges. When you start wearing braces, there are a number of things you can do to be able to play the trumpet more comfortably. For example, applying dental wax on the braces before playing can make you have more comfortable sessions. The wax will act as a soft buffer between your lips and the braces, and reduce your risk of getting injured.

Another option is to fold the cigarette paper a couple of times and then insert it under your lips. Alternatively, wear a football, boxing or, teeth night guard over the braces (we recommend the Pro Teeth Guard). Check the instructions on the mouth guard packs to know how to use them properly as some of them have to be boiled.

Any of the above options will help to make the braces more comfortable in your mouth when you want to play the trumpet.

After Braces

Finally, when you get rid of the braces, you will be ready to play the trumpet at your full potential. However, your technique may have changed and since you will be getting back to playing the instrument with your mouth free, you will take some time to adjust.

You may find it frustrating to miss the tones again. However, after a month or two of practicing, you will be back at your top game.

Check the video below to learn more about playing trumpet with braces.

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